Constant reports of drunken youths causing problems after dark at a children's playground has galvanised people living in the area to take matters into their own hands.

Garry Turner and Erica Semerdzhiev have set up three Neighbourhood Watch schemes in West Hill, Dartford, following conversations with neighbours about safety fears.

Paul Wheeler, whose garden backs onto Wilmot Park, said: "I joined the scheme because of the rise in anti-social behaviour we are seeing in the park.

"In the early hours, drunken youths are coming and causing mayhem and damaging the equipment. They are basically a nuisance.

"Now I have my own kids it is apparent how often things get broken and it is by these people at night. It is not nice to be exposed to that sort of thing, particularly the graffiti.

"It is a real issue that needs to be addressed. It was not just me, other people have also thought it was an issue."

The playground in Wilmot Road has fallen into disrepair which the 44-year-old believes is not helped by the youngsters who use it at night.

Dartford council's community safety unit has passed information about anti-social behaviour on to police who are carrying out more frequent visits to the park.

Garry and Erica said issues surrounding the park was one of the main reasons for setting up a group.

Since starting the initiative around eight weeks ago, they have already pressured the council for safety measures around a broken trampoline.

Although crime is not significantly high in the area, Garry said police statistics say the most common challenges are around violence, sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, car theft and burglary.

To make sure there was appetite in the area for a group, Garry and Erica spent weeks door-knocking to speak to their neighbours and then hand-delivered 3,200 invites.

Paul added: "I was wondering why there had not been one. I was surprised there was not any so when it was set up I thought finally someone has got around to it.

"It gives you the opportunity to become part of a larger organisation which will make a lot more noise and get noticed better."

Richard Passmore, 67, who lives in Swaisland Road, said: "It is not about looking out your window like the old sitcoms. It is a great thing to do with the community.

"It is nice to have a bigger purpose and get our voices heard. It is about pushing what we think is needed in this area.

"When the letters came through the front door I thought it was a really good idea because it creates such a good sense of community.

"It goes beyond just Neighbourhood Watch and making sure houses are safe and everything else."

He said his main concerns around anti-social issues, safety in the park, alleyways and badly-lit areas were all common themes throughout the scheme's members which are now being looked at.

About 160 people have signed up to the schemes and they are already campaigning for changes with the appropriate authorities.

Garry said: "Post-Covid I think we have realised how important community is and how important feeling connected to your local area is.

"That was a big motivator for me to be a part of setting this up, to really build a community and working together to keep it safe.

"We might have thought before the pandemic is was a bit soft or for someone else to do but I think we are realising the critical importance of community.

"The vision is one that is self sustaining, by the community for the community."

Erica, 32, added: "There was no existing way for the community to gather in this specific area. There was no group that could bring people together so this is the way to do that which was missing.

"Neighbourhood Watch really brings the community together to raise any sort of issue.

"It really provides a forum for people to resolve problems and come together which I think is really beneficial for mental wellbeing and for people in the community."

Leader of the council Jeremy Kite said: "The three local councillors have made a very strong case for the Wilmot Road play space and it is clear from them just how popular it is.

"Dartford Borough Council has been busy improving play spaces right across the borough. We have invested £1.5million so far to bring them up to date and make sure they are fully accessible.

"We are committed to improving even more spaces for families to enjoy over the coming year, in both central and more rural parts of the borough."